Constipation is an unsatisfactory defecation distinguished by difficult stool passage, infrequent stools or both.
Difficult stool passage may include straining, feeling of difficulty in passing stool, incomplete evacuation, lumpy/hard stools, prolonged time to defecate, need for manual maneuver to pass stool, abdominal discomfort and feeling of anorectal blockade.
Chronic constipation is considered when symptoms of constipation have existed ≥3 months.
Symptoms of chronic constipation may be due to dysfunction of intestinal motility, visceral sensitivity, anorectal musculature or the enteric nervous system.

Among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), older age at the time of IBD diagnosis and longer disease duration are associated with a heightened risk of developing colitis-associated neoplasia, a study has found.